Minutes of a Continental Army court-martial [Extracts], including a cover letter from Francis Nash to George Washington

United States. Continental Army. Courts-Martial

July 19,
1777 - July 22,
1777

Volume 11, Pages 751-753

[“Letters to Washington.” Dep't of State. No. 17. P. 229.]

Trenton, August 14th, 1777.

His Excellency Gen. Washington Sir

Inclosed is the proceedings of a Board of the Field Officers of My Brigade which I am requested by them, to lay before your Excellency, for your direction.

You have also inclosed the proceedings of a General Court Martial, whereby you will find that 2 Soldiers belonging to my Brigade are sentenced to death which is also submitted for your Excellency's final determination.

I have the honor to be Your Excellency's Most ob't. & very humble Se'nt.

F. NASH.

[Endorsed] Trenton, 14th of August, 1777.

From General Nash with sentence of Court Martial & representation of Field Officers.

———

Trenton, 19th July, 1777.

At general court martial held by order of the Honorable Brigadier

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General Nash, for the trial of all the prioners in the main guard.

Present,

Col. James Hogun, President.

Cols.

Thomas Clark Member

John Patton Member

Majors.

Samuel Lockhart Member

Levi Dawson Member

Charles Simms Member

Lott Brewster Member

Capts.

Henry Dixon Member

James Gee Member

Pink. Eton Member

John Nelson Member

William Caswell Member

John Williams Member

Revd Adam Boyd Judge Advocate.

The members having been all sworn, and the Judge Advocate having been also sworn & prosecuting in behalf of the United States the following prisioners were bro't before them vizt:

John Marsh of the first N. Carolina regiment accused of desertion. The prisoner confessed that after having served six months in that regiment he reinlisted for a year: That he deserted from his command at Eagles' Mills on Cape Fear to the enemy, with whom he went to Charles town, from that to New York, was taken prisoner at Trenton & afterwards entered into the Service of the United States, in a Georgia battalion.

All these facts appearing from his own confession, without one palliative circumstance, the court were reduced to the disagreeable necessity of sentencing him to be shot to death.

ADAM BOYD. Jud. Advocate.

Chester, 2d Augt, 1777. Extracts from the Minutes.

———

Trenton, July 22d, 1777.

The court having been continued by various adjournments to this day met, but two of the members Captains H. Nixon & James Gee being ordered on command & the Judge Advocate being sick; Captains Thomas Hogg & Edward Vale were ordered to supply the place of the two members & the Revd Mr Ford that of the Judge Advocate, who having been duly sworn, Willoughby Johnson of the first N. Carolina regiment was bro't before the court accused of desertion. Upon hearing his charge read, the prisoner acknowledged, that on his march from N. Carolina, near the Virginia line about the last of April, he deserted from the said regiment. He also acknowledged that it was the third time of his desertion.

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It is therefore the unanimous opinion of this Court that the said Willoughby Johnson be shot to death.